Errors plague Memorial in loss to first-place C.C. King

By
jhornberg
April 13, 2010 at 11:02 p.m.Updated April 12, 2010 at 11:13 p.m.

The bases were loaded, and for Amy Torres, it was a chance at redemption. She had committed a critical error earlier in the game that extended second inning for Corpus Christi King at the plate, allowing them to score seven runs and jump out to a 10-1 lead.

Torres seized the moment, battling back from a 0-2 count and tagging a ball up the middle for a two RBI single. It was a breakthrough, before the fourth inning, King pitcher had managed to keep Memorial hitless, despite running.

"I was looking for inside pitches, because those are my favorite," said the senior second baseman. "I realized we had to get some more runs on the board. She was throwing me outside, I just went with it, and luckily it just went into the gap."

Lexie Elkins would follow up after one Marina Rios walked to single in two more runners, part of a six-person string of batters that reached base for the Lady Vipers in the fourth.

But was one of the few bright spots for Memorial on Tuesday night, as the Lady Vipers dropped a crucial game to District 27-5A leader Corpus Christi King 12-6 after a defensive collapse in the second inning led to a seven-run inning.

Defensive mistakes plauged the Lady Vipers, who allowed seven unearned runs in the second inning, including a two-out pop fly to second base which would have ended the inning but was dropped, allowing a run to score and extending the inning.

"It's just unfortunate that a couple mistakes that we made they cashed in on, and that's what good teams do. The can't give teams extra outs."

The defensive struggles weren't limited to the infield. Hits into the outfield were misjudged three times, leading to two runs each time in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Total, the Lady Vipers finished the game with six errors.

Torres said King brought an intimidation factor into the game, and it may have effected the Lady Vipers play in the first few innings.

"This is just a total reversal of what we should look like," Torres said. "Last game, we looked great. We didn't have any errors. In this game, I think we just took the name King too seriously, but I feel like we should've just come out here and played."

McNary said he didn't think playing the first place team should affect how his team plays, but that it could influence how they play.

"They're a good team, and we know that we can play with them," "We've played a lot of good teams all year long in tournaments. It could have been a deal where some or all of the players may have been intimidated, but we shouldn't be. We're capable of beating anybody on any given night."

The Lady Vipers now fall into a tie with South San Antonio for the final playoff spot at 7-5 in district, pending the result of Converse Judson's game against San Antonio East Central. Memorial has two games left on its schedule, including Friday at Judson.

The Lady Vipers hold the tiebreaker against South San, having beaten them twice this season in district play. Torres said two things have to happen for Memorial to make it to the playoffs.